Roller bearing

ABSTRACT

A roller bearing having inner and outer rings each having races of a curved shape axially of the bearing. A plurality of rollers are arranged between the rings, the rollers having a surface conforming to curvature of the races and axes sloping toward the axis of the bearing. At least one of the rings having a separate retaining rim.

United States Patent Hampp et a1.

1451 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] ROLLER BEARING [72] Inventors: Wilhelm Hampp;Stig Sandstrom,

both of Schweinfurt, Germany [73] Assignee: SKF KugellageriahrikenGmhl-l,

Schweinfurt, Germany [22] Filed: April 30, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 33,404

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 6/1924 Polmgren ..'...308/214Gibbons ..308/213 1,772,346 8/1930 1,194,918 8/1916 Wright ..308/2142,098,683 11/1937 Wise ..308/214 3,397,020 8/1968 Edwards ..308/214FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 990,551 4/ 1965 Great Britain ..308/214Primary Examiner-Martin P. Schwadron Assistant Exandner-Frank SuskoAttorney-Richard Low and Murray Schaffer ABSTRACT A roller bearinghaving inner and outer rings each having races of a curved shape axiallyof the bearing. A plurality of rollers are arranged between the rings,

the rollers having a surface conforming to curvature of the races andaxes sloping toward the axis of the bearing. At least one of the ringshaving a separate retaining rim.

7Claims,6DrawingFigures ROLLER BEARING The present invention relates toroller bearings and in particular to a roller bearing suitable to takeboth radial and axial loads.

Tapered roller bearing comprising a series of conical rollers arrangedwith their axes inclined toward the central axis of rotation of thebearing are well known. The rollers are secured between an outer ringand an inner ring each of which is provided with a retaining shoulder orrim which secures the roller against axial shifting. Such bearings,while suitable for both radial and axial loading cannot be assembledwithout much difficulty and itv has become expedient to provide at leastone of the rings with a separable retaining Similar bearings have alsobeen made with cylindrical rollers instead of tapered rollers.

These well known embodiments, employing the tapered and/or cylindricalrollers, have the defect that they are extremely sensitive to variationsand deflections in the position of the inner ring relative to the outerring, as would, for example, occur through the sagging or inclination ofthe axle borne bythe bearing. Under such conditions the rollers and theraces in which they ride are subjected to harmful edge stress whichcould lead to a premature breakdown of the bearing.

The present invention is directed to the construction of a bearing inwhich these defects are overcome. It is an object of the presentinvention to provide a roller bearing suitable to take up axial orradial loads, even simultaneously in both directions and which is notsensitive to variations in the position or inclination of the axle.

According to the present invention there is provided a roller bearinghaving in combination the following characteristics:

a. inner and outer rings, each having races the surfaces of which aregenerated by a concise curve axially between the ends of rings;

b. rollers having convexly curved outer faces conforming to the curve ofthe races and having their axes sloping toward the axis of rotation ofthe bearing; and

c. at least one of the rings being provided with a separate independentretaining ring.

The curved form of the roller surfaces and races creates a selfadjusting bearing that conforms to and follows the deflection of theaxle,easily and without distortion between the engaging roller surfaces.Through the arrangement of a loose or separate rim on at least one ofthe rings the bearing can be assembled with very little difficulty.

Another advantage of the present invention arises from the ability tojoin the separable rim to the ring. By securing the rim to the ringafter the bearing is assembled a unitary device is obtained in which therollers are perfectly matched, without stress or strain on the assembly,and which can be easily transported, packaged etc and later installedfor use where desired.

In order to increase the axial load bearing ability the presentinvention permits the side faces of the roller bearing to be made in aspherical, cambered or crowned shape. The corresponding surfaces of theretaining rims being similar and correspondingly formed.

Full details of the present invention, as well as illustration of itsadvantages appear in the following description and from the accompanyingdrawing in which:

FIG. 1 shows a bearing having and unsymmetrical rollers and a' separablerim in the outer ring according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a roller bearing similar to that of FIG. 1, having sphericalor ball like side surfaces;

FIG. 3 is a bearing of similar form having symmetrical rollers;

FIG. 4 is a bearing similar to that of FIG. 3 in which the inner ring isprovided with a pair of fixed rims;

FIG. 5 is a bearing similar to that of FIG. 1 where the separable rim isassociated with the inner ring; and

FIG. 6 is a bearing similar to that of FIG. 1 showing the securement ofthe separable ring by a U-shaped retaining member.

The bearing seen in FIG. 1 comprises an inner ring 1 and an outer ring 4each having conforming curved, generally concave race surfaces 2 and 5respectively which have at opposed axial ends diameters of small andlarge size. The inner ring 1 is milled or otherwise formed, at itssmaller diameter end with an integral shoulder forming a bearingretaining rim 3, while the outer ring is formed and has its opposite butcorresponding end cut away and provided with a separate independentretaining rim 6. Located between the inner and outer rings 1 and 4respectively is a roller cage 7 of conventional design in which aplurality of rollers 8 are freely rotatable.

The rollers, as seen in FIG. 1 are unsymmetric having a convexedlycurved axial outer face of the same crowned shape as the races 2 and 5and conforming thereto, so that they lie between the races with theirindividual axes X-X inclined or sloping toward the central roller axisof the bearing itself.

The separate retaining rim 6 is preferably fastened to the outer ring 4by any suitable method. Gluing, soldering, welding or the use of aretaining ring as seen in FIG. 5 may be used.

As seen in FIG. 1, the center of the curved surface of the race 5 in theouter ring (i.e. the high point) lies on the transverse axis to thecentral roller axis that is on the radial bearing axis. The radius ofthe curve of the race is suitably selected so that the bearing may bereadily adjusted.

From the preceding description it will be seen that the construction ofthe bearing is simple and uncomplicated and that it is readily adaptableto take up radial loads as well as axially directed loads from eitherside of the bearing. Because the curved surface of the roller 8 and theconforming races 2 and 5 any deflection or inclination of an axle orshaft, held by the bearing, is instantly compensated for. The engagingroller surfaces maintain their engagement over their entire surfaceseven though the inner and outer rings are axially shifted or deflected.

Various modifications can be made of the structure shown in FIG. 1, someof which provide enhanced benefits, other modifications may have specialapplication or use. A few alternative embodiments are shown in FIGS. 2through 6 wherein similar structural components are referenced with thesame numbers and function in the manner described in connection with thebearing shown in FIG. 1.

The bearing shown in FIG. 2 is in general-the one shown in FIG. 1exceptthat the roller 8 is also provided present invention with asymmetrical roller 8'. In this case the race surfaces of the rings 1 and2 are also symmetrical, but are generally inclined so that their axesX-X are inclined to the bearingscentral axis.

In FIG. 4 a symmetrical roller is also illustrated, however, here theinner ring is made with a second fixed or integral retaining rim 13opposite to the previously described rim 3. I v

FIG. 5 illustrates a bearing in which the unsymmetrical roller of FIG. 1is employed in ring structure where a separate rim 3' is located on theinner ring 1 rather than the outer ring 4 and at the smaller diameterend. In this embodiment the natural slope of the roller causes theengagement of its downward edge against the separate rim 3', however,the bearing functions equally as well. The outer ring 4 is provided withan integral rim 6 in place of the separable rim 6 as was shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 5 also illustrates another modification, namely one dealing withthe form of the cage 7. As seen in FIG. 5 the cage 7 is formed so as tobe self supporting of the roller having a turned in portion adapted tohold the roller 8 against axial or radial movement even if the rimadapted to hold the rim 6 in the outer ring as seen in FIGS. 1 or 2.Also each of the ringsl and 4 may be provided with separate andindependent rims. The rims may also be employed to center the rollersand the inner and outer ring by employing a closure of sealing memberwhich joins the rings.

What is claimed is:

1. A roller bearing comprising an inner and outer ring each having anaxially curved race surface, a plurality of rollers arranged betweensaid rings in a single row each with their respective axes inclined inthe same direction toward the central axis of said bearing, said rollershaving curved outer surfaces conforming to the curve of said races, ashoulder integrally formed at the axial end of one of said rings tomaintain said rollers against axial movement inone direction and atleast the other one of said ri s a se arate retainin rim at the axiallyopposife p g against axial movement in the other direction. p

2. The bearing according to claim 1 wherein said races are concave andsaid roller surface is convex, and the high point of said curve liesalong the radial transverse axis of the bearing.

3. The bearing according to claim 1 wherein curve of said race and saidrollers is unsymmetrical and has a greater diameter at one end than atthe other.

4. A roller bearing comprising an inner and an outer ring each having anasymmetrical axially curved race surface having a greater diameter atoneend than at the other, a plurality of rollers arranged between saidrings with their respective axes inclined toward the central axis ofsaid bearing, said rollers having curved outer 3' is removed, preventingthe roller from falling out of the cage and outer ring.

In FIG. 6 a similar bearing is illustrated. However, here the separaterim 3' is provided with a U-shaped annular clip ring 14 having radiallyinturned flanges 15 and 16 which fit into a corresponding groove 17formed in the rim 3' and a groove 18 formed in the inner ring 1respectively. The clip ring 14 seats flush with the surface of the innerso as not to interfere with the bearing action.

The aforementioned embodiments are for illustrative purposes only. Itwill be apparent that the features shown may be combined in variouscombinations and permutations without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention. For example, the clip 14 may be surfaces conformingto the curve of said races, at least one of said rings having a separateretaining rim, saidouter ring separate retaining rim is located on theinner ring adhaving end or maintaining the rollers

1. A roller bearing comprising an inner and outer ring each having anaxially curved race surface, a plurality of rollers arranged betweensaid rings in a single row each with their respective axes inclined inthe same direction toward the central axis of said bearing, said rollershaving curved outer surfaces conforming to the curve of said races, ashoulder integrally formed at the axial end of one of said rings tomaintain said rollers against axial movement in one direction and atleast the other one of said rings having a separate retaining rim at theaxially opposite end for maintaining the rollers against axial movementin the other direction.
 2. The bearing according to claim 1 wherein saidraces are concave and said roller surface is convex, and the high pointof said curve lies along the radial transverse axis of the bearing. 3.The bearing according to claim 1 wherein curve of said race and saidrollers is unsymmetrical and has a greater diameter at one end than atthe other.
 4. A roller bearing comprising an inner and an outer ringeach having an asymmetrical axially curved race surface having a greaterdiameter at one end than at the other, a plurality of rollers arrangedbetween said rings with their respective axes inclined toward thecentral axis of said bearing, said rollers having curved outer surfacesconforming to the curve of said races, at least one of said rings havinga separate retaining rim, said separate retaining rim being located onthe outer ring adjacent the larger diameter end.
 5. The bearingaccording to claim 3 wherein the separate retaining rim is located onthe inner ring adjacent the smaller diameter end of the raceway.
 6. Thebearing according to claim 1, wherein said separate rim is secured tosaid retAining ring by an annular clip having lateral flanges adapted toseat within mating grooves formed in the rim and associated ring,respectively.
 7. The bearing according to claim 1 wherein the sides ofsaid rollers are formed with a bow shape and the surfaces of said ringrims are formed with a corresponding curved race surface.